Waterproof watch with interlocking crystal support ring and movement support ring

ABSTRACT

A watch and watch case construction which is dust-proof and moisture-proof. The watch case has an outer ring and an inner ring releasably joined together coaxially. The outer ring has an inner annular flange defining a seat on which the watch crystal rim is seated and a shoulder around this seat to hold the crystal from radial movement. The inner ring has an inner rim on which the watch movement is supported and fixed radially and axially of the inner ring. The two rings jointly define a groove, rectangular in cross section, into which a rim on the back cover extends and compresses a ring gasket, of circular cross section, to effect a moisture-proof and dust-proof seal.

United States Patent 1 [111 3,714,775

Aoki [451 Feb. 6, 1973 [54] WATERPROOF WATCH WITH Primary Examiner-George H. Miller, Jr.

INTERLOCKING CRYSTAL SUPPORT RING AND MOVEMENT SUPPORT RING Inventorz' Masayoshi Aoki, 8-4, 5-chome,

Attorney-Robert E. Burns et al.

[76] [57] ABSTRACT Nishi-Koiwa, Edogawa-ku, Tokyo, Japan v A watch and watch case construction which is dust- [22] filed: May 1972 proof and moisture-proof. The watch case has an 21 APP] 25 outer ring and an inner ring releasably joined together coaxially. The outer ring has an inner annular flange defining a seat on which the watch crystal rim is [30] Forelgn Apphcatlon pnonty Data seated and a shoulder aroundthis seat to hold the May 27, 1971 Japan ..46/43509 ry fr m r ial m vement. The inner ring has an inner rim on which the watch movementis supported [52] U.S. Cl. ..58/90 R and fixed radially and axially of the inner ring. The [Si] Int. Cl..'. ..G04b 37/08 two rings jointly define a groove, rectangular in cross [58] Field of Search ..58/9O R, 91, 94 section, into which a rim on the back cover extends and compresses a ring gasket, of circular cross section, [56] References Cited to effect a moisture-proof and dust-proof seal.

UNITEDSTATES PATENTS 1,853,388 4/1932 Wadsworth .Q ..58/9O R 2,749,702 6/1956 Schwaibold ..58/9O RX 5 Claims, 1 Drawing Figure 2 i I l 4 i I i IIII \i\\ 56 1 l v i t l l I 3a v 5 5c '3b[ 5 1b 1. H i 7 1c v v Q51) 1 I 7 l\ 6 PATENTEU FEB 6 I975 i particularly to an improved dust and moisture 1. I WATERPROOF wxfrcn wrrn INTERLOCKING CRYSTAL SUPPORT RING AND MOVEMENT SUPPORT RING BACKGROUND OF THE lNVENTlON This invention relates generally to watches and more proof watch case construction.

lar gasket made of an elastic deformable material is housed in the rectangular groove. The back cover has a rim snapped into position about the inner ring defining the watch movement support and extending into the Different types of moisture-proofand dust-proof watch case constructions are known. Many of these do not make use of gaskets but rely solely on the tightness of the cooperating parts to maintain relatively tightseals therebetween. However, these constructions can- I .not be constructed completely tight and moisture, for

example skin moisture, will enter these watch cases particularly along the connection between 'the back cover and the case since this connection comes into contact with the skin of the wearer of the watch.

Another known watch case construction has a back cover that has a rim received in an annular groove in a ring formingthesides of the case. A gasket is used in this construction between the back cover and a surface of the watch crystal. The periphery of the crystal is closely fitted with a flange on the ring'defining the sides of the case and thus the crystal, the ring andthe back,

cover are tightly fixed together. This gasket is elastic and the thickness or'width of the ring has to be very greaLThe forming of the groove and other manufacturing operations arefexpensive. Moreover, the exterior appearance of such constructions isnot smart.

Another known watch case construction .makes use of a gasket between an outer ring formingthe sides of SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is a principal object of the present invention to provide an inexpensive but effectively sealed dust-proof and moisture-proof watch'case construction.

The watch case construction embodying the invention comprises. an outer ring that forms the body or outer sides of the watch case. The outer ring has aninwardly projectingannular flange spaced apart from an edge thereof and has a peripheral shoulder circumferentially of the flange. A watch crystal having a circumferential rimhas this rim seated on'the flange and is flange. I

An inner ringis releasably mounted on the outer ring held from radial movement-by the shoulder around the by means of a circumferential bead on the outside of the inner ring which has an inner circumferential recess or'groove in which the bead is received and the two rings are fixed relatively. The inner ringhas an inwardly extending rimon which a watch movement is sup ported and' held from radial movement relative to the inner ring. A watch dial is fixed to the watch movement and underlies th'eflange on theouter ring so that the watch movement is retained in position.

The outer ring has an annular notch on'the inner periphery of an edge thereof which islremote from the edge adjacent said annular flange. The inner ring outer rectangular groove compressing the gasket, which has'a round cross section, therein to effect a dust and moisture seal between the inner and outer rings.

BRIEP DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING Other objects and advantages will appear from the following description of an example-of the invention and the novel features will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims and the single FIGURE of the drawing which is a fragmentary cross section view of a watch and watch case construction according to the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawing illustrating a fragmentary sectional view of a watch case according to the invention in which a case band or ring 1 defines the sides of the watch case peripherally. The ring 1 has. an annular inwardly projecting flange'la defining a support or stage for a watch crystal 2 made of an organic material or preferably of an inorganic material. The watch crystal has a peripheral rim 2a seated on the annular flange laQTheflange la is disposed adjacent one edge I of the ring 1 s'olthat it forms a shoulder against which. v the rim seats and is held radially in position. The rim 2a ofthe, crystal is adhered to .the inner rim the ring. 1

Within the watch case is disposed an annular support or flange la of member 3 having in inwardly projecting flange or rim 3b and a peripheral bead 3a on a side thereof and received in a complementary annular recess or groove lb on the inner periphery of the ring which defines the side of the watch case. A watch movement or works 5 has a peripheral shoulder 5a by which it rests on the inwardly projecting flange of the support member 3. A dial plate 4 is secured to the watch movements with screws, now shown, and underlies the inner flange la of the side ring 1 of the watch case.

The inner periphery 3c of the support rim 3b engages the sides 5b of the watch movement so that itis held from radial movement and the dial plate and the outer ring flange 1a hold it fixed axially of the watch case.

A back cover 6 has a rim 6a that is disposed circumferentially around the outside of the support member'l which forms a circumferential inner extension of the inner surface of the outer ring. The rim 6a of the back cover forms a moisture-proof and dust-proof seal as later described and has a snap fit about the-inner ring support 3.

The outer ring 1 has'a peripheral notch 10 on a lower edge thereof disposed on the inner side of this lower edge. This notch 1c jointly with the outer surface of the internal support member 3 define an annular groove rectangular in cross section into which the rim 6a of the back cover 6 fits and seats against a ring gasket or seal The seal ring 7 has a circular cross section and is deformable and is made of an elastic material. The seal formed by the gasket 7 and the cooperating ring 1 and back cover 6 is moisture-proof and dust-proof.

Those skilled inthe'art will recognize that the elementslor componentsdescribed cooperate to form a tight watch case'construction completely moisture and insertion of thefbead 3a'thereon into the annular groove 1b whichhas'a complementary cross section to h' b d- What I claimand desire secure by Letters Pat. is: 1. In a watch a watch case which is dust-proof and z-lllOlStUfC proof comprising, anouter ring defining the outer periphery of a watch case, said outer ring having an annular inwardly projecting flange spaced apart from an edge of said outer ring and in the vicinity V thereof, said.outer"ring-defining a shoulder circum ferentially of the flange and jointly therewith, a watch crystal having a rim seated on said annular flange and heldradially bysaid shoulder, aninner ring'having a peripheral bead-and an inwardly projecting rim, said outer ring having a groove extending circumferentially on an inner surface thereof receiving said nead of said inner ring holding the inner andouter ring relatively fixed, said outer ring. having an annular notch on an inner'side of an edge thereof remote from said edge adjacent said flange on the outer ring, said annular," inner notch on'said outer ring and-the outside surface of said inner ring defining an annular groove, a deformable, compressible and elastic gasket-in said groove, and a back cover' having a rim snap-fitted circumferentially of said-inner ring and extending into said groove cornpre'ssing and deform'ing said gasket therein to form a moisture-proof and dust-proof 'sealamong the gasket,

the-inner and outer rings.

.f 2. lnaj watch accordin'g" to claim 1', a watch movement having a peripheral hanging portion defining a peripheral shoulder thereon, said peripheral overhanging portion overlying said inwardly projecting rim on said support member, whereby said watch movement is supported on said rim.- I

3. In a watch according to claim 2, including a dial plate fixed on said watch movement and disposed contacting a surface of said inner flange on saidouter ring opposite to the surface thereof on which said watch crystal rim is seated.

4. In a watch-according to ,claim 3, in which said rim on said-inner ring is disposed circumferentially of said watch movement holding it from movement radially toward or away from said inner ring, and said rim and saidwatch'dial hold the watch movement fixed relative to the watch case and crystal.

5. A watch case which, is dust-proof and moisture proof comprising, an outer ring defining the outer periphery of a watch case, said outer ring having an annular inwardly projecting flange spaced apart from an edge of said outer ring and in the vicinity thereof, said outer ring defining a shoulder circumferentially of the flange and jointly therewith for seating a watch crystal hav inlg a rim seatable on said annular flange and held radia y by said shoulder, an inner ring having a peripheral bead and an inwardly projecting rim, said outerring having a groove extending circumferentially on an inner surface thereof receiving said bead of said inner ring releasably holding the inner and outer ring relatively fixed, said outer ring having an annular notch on an inner said of an edge thereof remote from said edge adjacent saidflange on the outer ring, said annular, inner notch on said outer ring and the outside surface of said innerring defining an annular groove, deformable, compressible and elastic gasket in said groove, and a back cover having a rim snap-fitted circumferentially of said inner ring andextendinginto said groove compressing and deforming said gasket therein to form a moisture-proof and dust-proof seal among the gasket, the inner. and outer rings. 

1. In a watch a watch case which is dust-proof and moisture proof comprising, an outer ring defining the outer periphery of a watch case, said outer ring having an annular inwardly projecting flange spaced apart from an edge of said outer ring and in the vicinity thereof, said outer ring defining a shoulder circumferentially of the flange and jointly therewith, a watch crystal having a rim seated on said annular flange and held radially by said shoulder, an inner ring having a peripheral bead and an inwardly projecting rim, said outer ring having a groove extending circumferentially on an inner surface thereof receiving said nead of said inner ring holding the inner and outer ring relatively fixed, said outer ring having an annular notch on an inner side of an edge thereof remote from said edge adjacent said flange on the outer ring, said annular, inner notch on said outer ring and the outside surface of said inner ring defining an annular groove, a deformable, compressible and elastic gasket in said groove, and a back cover having a rim snap-fitted circumferentially of said inner ring and extending into said groove compressing and deforming said gasket therein to form a moisture-proof and dust-proof seal among the gasket, the inner and outer rings.
 1. In a watch a watch case which is dust-proof and moisture proof comprising, an outer ring defining the outer periphery of a watch case, said outer ring having an annular inwardly projecting flange spaced apart from an edge of said outer ring and in the vicinity thereof, said outer ring defining a shoulder circumferentially of the flange and jointly therewith, a watch crystal having a rim seated on said annular flange and held radially by said shoulder, an inner ring having a peripheral bead and an inwardly projecting rim, said outer ring having a groove extending circumferentially on an inner surface thereof receiving said nead of said inner ring holding the inner and outer ring relatively fixed, said outer ring having an annular notch on an inner side of an edge thereof remote from said edge adjacent said flange on the outer ring, said annular, inner notch on said outer ring and the outside surface of said inner ring defining an annular groove, a deformable, compressible and elastic gasket in said groove, and a back cover having a rim snap-fitted circumferentially of said inner ring and extending into said groove compressing and deforming said gasket therein to form a moisture-proof and dust-proof seal among the gasket, the inner and outer rings.
 2. In a watch according to claim 1, a watch movement having a peripheral hanging portion defining a peripheral shoulder thereon, said peripheral overhanging portion overlying said inwardly projecting rim on said support member, whereby said watch movement is supported on said rim.
 3. In a watch according to claim 2, including a dial plate fixed on said watch movement and disposed contacting a surface of said inner flange on said outer ring opposite to the surface thereof on which said watch crystal rim is seated.
 4. In a watch according to claim 3, in which said rim on said inner ring is disposed circumferentially of said watch movement holding it from movement radially toward or away from said inner ring, and said rim and said watch dial hold the watch movement fixed relative to the watch case and crystal. 